Plaid Leader calls for clampdown on businesses dodging minimum wage

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has used this week’s FMQs session to take the First Minister to task over businesses in Wales failing to pay their workers the minimum wage.

The latest figures show that no employers in Wales have been prosecuted for paying their staff less than the minimum wage - a fact which the Party of Wales Leader referred to as "blatant exploitation."

Leanne Wood noted that she had written to the Prime Minister urging her to do everything within her power to put a stop to rogue employers.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood said:

"The exploitation of workers by unscrupulous employers is a scandal and has to stop.

"We have seen many cases in Wales of companies and businesses charging workers for accommodation and nominally deducting it from wages.

"These workers are not in a trade union, and are often being effectively paid below the minimum wage.

"Migrant workers are being exploited, and their employers are also undercutting Welsh employees. Both types of worker are losing out.

"Earlier this week, the First Minister and I met the Secretary of State for Wales who seemed determined to reject the facts and evidence on why wages have been stagnant.

"I have written to the Prime Minister urging her to do everything within her power to get to grips with this growing problem.

"It is vital that Welsh workers do not lose out and that migrant workers are not scapegoated for the unfair and immoral practice of rogue employers."